The Safety-Pin AestheticBorn during the 1970's, punk was youth's most defining movement in music history. Punk is a culture against conformity and authority, known for violent political messages and helter skelter personal style. It is also known for it's complete disassociation from mainstream success, enhancing the idea of doing everything personally instead of relying on others to get music out.
CBGB in it's glory days
With punk music came fashion that was widely embraced by youth. Sometimes fairly simple, the punk style was much more avant garde than other rock genres of the decade. Well known staples in a punk wardrobe include leather jackets, jeans, and combat boots. These were often adorned with metal studs, spikes, and safety pins along with political and social messages such as the Sex Pistol's anthem, "No Future". Along with clothes, punks were known for their eccentric hairstyles, piercings, and tattoos.
Girl punks posing for a 'nice' photo
Male punks clowning around
My two favorite bands of the American punk scene are hands down the Ramones and the Misfits. Both bands are highly praised for their difference from other punk bands. The Ramones were known for their loud, fast, and straightforward approach inspired by "pop" music of the 50's and 60's such as the Beatles. The Misfits are widely recognized for their use of horror and science-fiction film-inspired themes and imagery. Though both of these bands are extremely popular and are covered by many other bands, they are still considered as underground bands for the fact that neither has had a platinum selling album, for which I have to say is all the better because it says that they are still truly within the punk genre.
With punk music came fashion that was widely embraced by youth. Sometimes fairly simple, the punk style was much more avant garde than other rock genres of the decade. Well known staples in a punk wardrobe include leather jackets, jeans, and combat boots. These were often adorned with metal studs, spikes, and safety pins along with political and social messages such as the Sex Pistol's anthem, "No Future". Along with clothes, punks were known for their eccentric hairstyles, piercings, and tattoos.
My two favorite bands of the American punk scene are hands down the Ramones and the Misfits. Both bands are highly praised for their difference from other punk bands. The Ramones were known for their loud, fast, and straightforward approach inspired by "pop" music of the 50's and 60's such as the Beatles. The Misfits are widely recognized for their use of horror and science-fiction film-inspired themes and imagery. Though both of these bands are extremely popular and are covered by many other bands, they are still considered as underground bands for the fact that neither has had a platinum selling album, for which I have to say is all the better because it says that they are still truly within the punk genre.
For more information, try these websites:
http://www.punk77.co.uk/
http://www.fastnbulbous.com/punk.htm
Pictures courtesy of:
http://photobucket.com/
http://www.punk77.co.uk/